I ride a Volpe too. I’ve toured on both 28’s and 32’s, nowadays on 32’s to cope with canal towpaths and lighter gravel roads. 35’s have always felt slower to me, but I run high pressure to feel every bump and jolt... Gator Hardshells are my go to.
If I was going to be mainly off-road I’d want straight handlebars and knobbier wider tires which I have on a 80’s MTB (Miyata On Off Road Runner).
As to fenders, I only mount them when expecting a lot of rain, so in summer I don’t bother.
Last edited by imi; 03-17-21 at 12:22 PM.